Multiplex imaging technologies allow the characterization of single cells in their cellular environments. Understanding the organization of single cells within their microenvironment and quantifying disease-status related biomarkers is essential for multiplex datasets. Here we proposed SNOWFLAKE, a graph neural network framework pipeline for the prediction of disease-status from combined multiplex cell expression and morphology in human B-cell follicles. We applied SNOWFLAKE to a multiplex dataset related to COVID-19 infection in humans and showed better predictive power of the SNOWFLAKE pipeline compared to other machine learning and deep learning methods. Moreover, we combined morphological features inside graph edge features to utilize attribution methods for extracting disease-relevant motifs from single-cell spatial graphs. The underlying subgraphs were further analyzed and associated with disease status across the dataset. We showed that SNOWFLAKE successfully extracted significant low dimensional embedding from subgraphs with a clear separation between disease status and helped characterize unique cellular interactions in the subgraphs. SNOWFLAKE is a generalizable pipeline for the analysis of multiplex imaging data modality by extracting disease-relevant subgraphs guided by graph-level prediction.
Treatments for congenital and acquired craniofacial (CF) bone abnormalities are limited and expensive. Current reconstructive methods include surgical correction of injuries, short-term bone stabilization, and long-term use of bone grafting solutions, including implantation of (i) allografts which are prone to implant failure or infection, (ii) autografts which are limited in supply. Current bone regenerative approaches have consistently relied on BMP-2 application with or without addition of stem cells. BMP2 treatment can lead to severe bony overgrowth or uncontrolled inflammation, which can accelerate further bone loss. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell-based treatments, which do not have the side effects of BMP2, are not currently FDA approved, and are time and resource intensive. There is a critical need for novel bone regenerative therapies to treat CF bone loss that have minimal side effects, are easily available, and are affordable. In this study we investigated novel bone regenerative therapies downstream of JAGGED1 (JAG1). We previously demonstrated that JAG1 induces murine cranial neural crest (CNC) cells towards osteoblast commitment via a NOTCH non-canonical pathway involving JAK2-STAT5 (1) and that JAG1 delivery with CNC cells elicits bone regeneration in vivo. In this study, we hypothesized that delivery of JAG1 and induction of its downstream NOTCH non-canonical signaling in pediatric human osteoblasts constitute an effective bone regenerative treatment in an in vivo murine bone loss model of a critically-sized cranial defect. Using this CF defect model in vivo, we delivered JAG1 with pediatric human bone-derived osteoblast-like (HBO) cells to demonstrate the osteo-inductive properties of JAG1 in human cells and in vitro we utilized the HBO cells to identify the downstream non-canonical JAG1 signaling intermediates as effective bone regenerative treatments. In vitro, we identified an important mechanism by which JAG1 induces pediatric osteoblast commitment and bone formation involving the phosphorylation of p70 S6K. This discovery enables potential new treatment avenues involving the delivery of tethered JAG1 and the downstream activators of p70 S6K as powerful bone regenerative therapies in pediatric CF bone loss.
JAG1 is a ligand that activates the NOTCH signaling pathway which plays a crucial role in determining cell fate behavior through cell-to-cell signaling. JAG1-NOTCH signaling is required for mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation into cardiomyocytes and cranial neural crest (CNC) cells differentiation into osteoblasts, making it a regenerative candidate for clinical therapy to treat craniofacial bone loss and myocardial infarction. However, delivery of soluble JAG1 has been found to inhibit NOTCH signaling due to the requirement of JAG1 presentation in a bound form. For JAG1-NOTCH signaling to occur, JAG1 must be immobilized within a scaffold and the correct orientation between the NOTCH receptor and JAG1 must be achieved. The lack of clinically translatable JAG1 delivery methods has driven the exploration of alternative immobilization approaches. This review discusses the role of JAG1 in disease, the clinical role of JAG1 as a treatment, and summarizes current approaches for JAG1 delivery. An in-depth review was conducted on literature that used both in vivo and in vitro delivery models and observed the canonical versus non-canonical NOTCH pathway activated by JAG1. Studies were then compared and evaluated based on delivery success, functional outcomes, and translatability. Delivering JAG1 to harness its ability to control cell fate has the potential to serve as a therapeutic for many diseases.
BACKGROUND AIMS: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are polymorphic, adherent cells with the capability to stimulate tissue regeneration and modulate immunity. MSCs have been broadly investigated for potential therapeutic applications, particularly immunomodulatory properties, wound healing and tissue regeneration. The exact physiologic role of MSCs, however, remains poorly understood, and this gap in knowledge significantly impedes the rational development of therapeutic cells. Here, we considered interferon γ (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), two cytokines likely encountered physiologically and commonly used in cell manufacturing. For comparison, we studied interleukin-10 (IL-10) (anti-inflammatory) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) (type 2 cytokine). METHODS: We directly assessed the effects of these cytokines on bone marrow MSCs by comparing RNA Seq transcriptional profiles. Western blotting and flow cytometry were also used to evaluate effects of cytokine priming. RESULTS: The type 1 cytokines (IFN-γ and TNF-α) induced striking changes in gene expression and remarkably different profiles from one another. Importantly, priming MSCs with either of these cytokines did not increase variability among multiple donors beyond what is intrinsic to non-primed MSCs from different donors. IFN-γ-primed MSCs expressed IDO1 and chemokines that recruit activated T cells. In contrast, TNF-α-primed MSCs expressed genes in alternate pathways, namely PGE2 and matrix metalloproteinases synthesis, and chemokines that recruit neutrophils. IL-10 and IL-4 priming had little to no effect. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that IFN-γ-primed MSCs may be a more efficacious immunosuppressive therapy aimed at diseases that target T cells (ie, graft-versus-host disease) compared with TNF-α-primed or non-primed MSCs, which may be better suited for therapies in other disease settings. These results contribute to our understanding of MSC bioactivity and suggest rational ex vivo cytokine priming approaches for MSC manufacturing and therapeutic applications.
Cytokines , Mesenchymal Stem Cells , Interleukin-10 , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha , Interleukin-4/pharmacology , Interferon-gamma , Chemokines
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to quantify and describe baseline patient and parent-proxy health-related quality of life scores in patients with low-flow vascular malformations at a single, tertiary-care vascular anomalies clinic. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study of data collected on patients with low-flow vascular malformations between the ages of 2 to 25 who were seen at a single, tertiary-care center vascular anomalies clinic. A total of 266 patients are included in this study. RESULTS: Patients with lymphatic malformations report decreased quality of life scores as compared with venous malformations in the emotional, psychological, school, and social domains. Patients with lower extremity malformation report decreased quality of life scores as compared with head/neck, trunk, upper extremity, and multifocal malformations; most notably in the physical domain. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of low-flow vascular malformations should aim to improve patient quality of life. The use of standardized health-related quality of life measures in this study quantifies baseline quality of life scores among patients with low-flow vascular malformations.
The oral microbiome is a complex community that matures with dental development while oral health is also a recognized risk factor for systemic disease. Despite the oral cavity having a substantial microbial burden, healing of superficial oral wounds occurs quickly and with little scarring. By contrast, creation of an oro-nasal fistula (ONF), often occurring after surgery to correct a cleft palate, is a significant wound healing challenge that is further complicated by a connection of the oral and nasal microbiome. In this study, we characterized the changes in the oral microbiome of mice following a freshly inflicted wound in the oral palate that results in an open and unhealed ONF. Creation of an ONF in mice significantly lowered oral microbiome alpha diversity, with concurrent blooms of Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus lentus, and Staphylococcus xylosus in the oral cavity. Treatment of mice with oral antibiotics one week prior to ONF infliction resulted in a reduction in the alpha diversity, prevented E. faecalis and S. lentus, and S. xylosus blooms, but did not impact ONF healing. Strikingly, delivery of the beneficial microbe Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris (LLC) to the wound bed of the freshly inflicted ONF via a PEG-MAL hydrogel vehicle resulted in rapid healing of the ONF. Healing of the ONF was associated with the maintenance of relatively high microbiome alpha diversity, and limited the abundance of E. faecalis and S. lentus, and S. xylosus in the oral cavity. These data demonstrate that a freshly inflicted ONF in the murine palate is associated with a dysbiotic oral microbiome state that may prevent ONF healing, and a bloom of opportunistic pathogens. The data also demonstrate that delivery of a specific beneficial microbe, LLC, to the ONF can boost wound healing, can restore and/or preserve oral microbiome diversity, and inhibit blooms of opportunistic pathogens.
OBJECTIVE: To present external airway splinting with bioabsorbable airway supportive devices (ASD) for severe, life-threatening cases of pediatric tracheomalacia (TM) or tracheobronchomalacia (TBM). METHODS: A retrospective cohort was performed for 5 pediatric patients with severe TM or TBM who underwent ASD placement. Devices were designed and 3D-printed from a bioabsorbable material, polycaprolactone (PCL). Pre-operative planning included 3-dimensional airway modeling of tracheal collapse and tracheal suture placement using nonlinear finite element (FE) methods. Pre-operative modeling revealed that triads along the ASD open edges and center were the most effective suture locations for optimizing airway patency. Pediatric cardiothoracic surgery and otolaryngology applied the ASDs by suspending the trachea to the ASD with synchronous bronchoscopy. Respiratory needs were trended for all cases. Data from pediatric patients with tracheostomy and diagnosis of TM or TBM, but without ASD, were included for discussion. RESULTS: Five patients (2 Females, 3 Males, ages 2-9 months at time of ASD) were included. Three patients were unable to wean from respiratory support after vascular ring division; all three weaned to room air post-ASD. Two patients received tracheostomies prior to ASD placement, but continued to experience apparent life-threatening events (ALTE) and required ventilation with supraphysiologic ventilator settings. One patient weaned respiratory support successfully after ASD placement. The last patient died post-ASD due to significant respiratory co-morbidity. CONCLUSION: ASD can significantly benefit patients with severe, unrelenting tracheomalacia or tracheobronchomalacia. Proper multidisciplinary case deliberation and selection are key to success with ASD. Pre-operative airway modeling allows proper suture placement to optimally address the underlying airway collapse.
Tracheobronchomalacia , Tracheomalacia , Male , Female , Child , Humans , Infant , Tracheomalacia/therapy , Splints , Retrospective Studies , Tracheobronchomalacia/surgery , Trachea/surgery
In 2010, the FDA approved the administration of FTY720, S1P lipid mediator, as a therapy to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. FTY720 was found to sequester pro-inflammatory lymphocytes within the lymph node, preventing them from causing injury to the central nervous system due to inflammation. Studies harnessing the anti-inflammatory properties of FTY720 as a pro-regenerative strategy in wound healing of muscle, bone and mucosal injuries are currently being performed. This in-depth review discusses the current regenerative impact of FTY720 due to its anti-inflammatory effect stratified into an assessment of wound regeneration in the muscular, skeletal, and epithelial systems. The regenerative effect of FTY720 in vivo was characterized in three animal models, with differing delivery mechanisms emerging in the last 20 years. In these studies, local delivery of FTY720 was found to increase pro-regenerative immune cell phenotypes (neutrophils, macrophages, monocytes), vascularization, cell proliferation and collagen deposition. Delivery of FTY720 to a localized wound environment demonstrated increased bone, muscle, and mucosal regeneration through changes in gene and cytokine production primarily by controlling the local immune cell phenotypes. These changes in gene and cytokine production reduced the inflammatory component of wound healing and increased the migration of pro-regenerative cells (neutrophils and macrophages) to the wound site. The application of FTY720 delivery using a biomaterial has demonstrated the ability of local delivery of FTY720 to promote local wound healing leveraging an immunomodulatory mechanism.
OBJECTIVE: To explore patient-reported outcome measures of pediatric paradoxical vocal fold motion through a multi-institutional study of geographically diverse United States medical facilities to assess long-term management and outcomes. METHODS: Eligible participants >8 years of age diagnosed with PVFM over a 10-year period from 7 tertiary pediatric hospitals were invited to complete a survey addressing study objectives. RESULTS: 65 participants completed the survey, of whom 80% were female, 75% reported a 3.5 grade point average or better, and 75% identified as competitive athletes or extremely athletic individuals. Participants rated their perceived efficacy of 13 specific treatments. Only five treatments were considered effective by a majority of the participants who tried them. The treatments that participants tried most often were breathing exercises (89.2%), bronchodilator treatments (45%), and allergy medications (35.4%). 78.8% of participants reported receiving more than one treatment and 25% reported receiving a combination of bronchodilators, anticholinergics, and steroids. At the time of PVFM diagnosis, 38% of participants had no idea when their symptoms would completely resolve. 23.3% of participants did not experience symptom resolution until greater than 1 year after diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Traditional management tools such as breathing exercises and biofeedback treatments may not provide the long-term benefit that providers anticipate. In addition to these commonly used management strategies, highly efficacious techniques such as counseling and lifestyle management should be incorporated into the long-term management of patients whose symptoms are refractory to traditional care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 133:970-976, 2023.
Laryngoscopes , Vocal Cord Dysfunction , Humans , Female , Child , Male , Vocal Cord Dysfunction/diagnosis , Vocal Cord Dysfunction/therapy , Biofeedback, Psychology , Breathing Exercises , Patient Reported Outcome Measures , Vocal Cords
Orofacial clefts are the most common craniofacial congenital anomaly. Following cleft palate repair, up to 60% of surgeries have wound healing complications leading to oronasal fistula (ONF), a persistent connection between the roof of the mouth and the nasal cavity. The current gold standard methods for ONF repair use human allograft tissues; however, these procedures have risks of graft infection and/or rejection, requiring surgical revisions. Immunoregenerative therapies present a novel alternative approach to harness the body's immune response and enhance the wound healing environment. We utilized a repurposed FDA-approved immunomodulatory drug, FTY720, to reduce the egress of lymphocytes and induce immune cell fate switching toward pro-regenerative phenotypes. Here, we engineered a bilayer biomaterial system using Tegaderm™, a liquid-impermeable wound dressing, to secure and control the delivery of FTY720- nanofiber scaffolds (FTY720-NF). We optimized release kinetics of the bilayer FTY720-NF to sustain drug release for up to 7d with safe, efficacious transdermal absorption and tissue biodistribution. Through comprehensive immunophenotyping, our results illustrate a pseudotime pro-regenerative state transition in recruited hybrid immune cells to the wound site. Additional histological assessments established a significant difference in full thickness ONF closure in mice on Day 7 following treatment with bilayer FTY720-NF, compared to controls. These findings demonstrate the utility of immunomodulatory strategies for oral wound healing, better positing the field to develop more efficacious treatment options for pediatric patients. One Sentence Summary: Local delivery of bilayer FTY720-nanofiber scaffolds in an ONF mouse model promotes complete wound closure through modulation of pro-regenerative immune and stromal cells.
Implantable patient-specific devices are the next frontier of personalized medicine, positioned to improve the quality of care across multiple clinical disciplines. Translation of patient-specific devices requires time- and cost-effective processes to design, verify and validate in adherence to FDA guidance for medical device manufacture. In this study, we present a generalized strategy for selective laser sintering (SLS) of patient-specific medical devices following the prescribed guidance for additive manufacturing of medical devices issued by the FDA in 2018. We contextualize this process for manufacturing an Airway Support Device, a life-saving tracheal and bronchial implant restoring airway patency for pediatric patients diagnosed with tracheobronchomalacia and exhibiting partial or complete airway collapse. The process covers image-based modeling, design inputs, design verification, material inputs and verification, device verification, and device validation, including clinical results. We demonstrate how design and material assessment lead to verified Airway Support Devices that achieve desired airway patency and reduction in required Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) after patient implantation. We propose this process as a template for general quality control of patient-specific, 3D printed implants.
Bronchi , Trachea , Child , Humans , Printing, Three-Dimensional
OBJECTIVES: To outline an expert-based consensus of recommendations for the diagnosis and management of pediatric patients with congenital tracheal stenosis. METHODS: Expert opinions were sought from members of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG) via completion of an 18-item survey utilizing an iterative Delphi method and review of the literature. RESULTS: Forty-three members completed the survey providing recommendations regarding the initial history, clinical evaluation, diagnostic evaluation, temporizing measures, definitive repair, and post-repair care of children with congenital tracheal stenosis. CONCLUSION: These recommendations are intended to be used to support clinical decision-making regarding the evaluation and management of children with congenital tracheal stenosis. Responses highlight the diverse management strategies and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to care of these patients.
Otolaryngology , Plastic Surgery Procedures , Child , Consensus , Constriction, Pathologic , Humans , Infant , Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods , Trachea/abnormalities , Trachea/surgery , Tracheal Stenosis/congenital , Treatment Outcome
PURPOSE: To describe the pharmacokinetics (PK) of ciprofloxacin 0.3 % and fluocinolone acetonide 0.025 % otic solution (CIPRO+FLUO), ciprofloxacin 0.3 % otic solution alone (CIPRO), and fluocinolone acetonide 0.025 % otic solution alone (FLUO) administered into the middle ears of pediatric patients with Acute Otitis Media with Tympanostomy Tubes (AOMT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a PK analysis of patients who participated in two multicenter, randomized, double-blind AOMT clinical trials (SALVAT studies CIFLOTIII/10IA02 and CIFLOTIII/10IA04). Each patient received 0.25 mL of CIPRO+FLUO, CIPRO, or FLUO twice a day instilled into the ear canal(s) for 7 days to treat AOMT. Blood samples of patients with unilateral AOMT were collected before the administration of the first dose of study medication at Visit 1 (day 1) and within 1-2 h after the last dose on day 7. Blood samples were analyzed to detect ciprofloxacin and fluocinolone acetonide concentrations using two validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) methods, with the lower limit of quantification for ciprofloxacin and fluocinolone acetonide in plasma samples being 1 ng/mL. Thirty randomly selected patients between 10 months and 10 years of age (mean age, 4.4 years) were included in the study. Although all available samples were analyzed, only PK data of the 22 patients with both samples and unilateral disease were considered for study purposes. RESULTS: No detectable concentrations of ciprofloxacin or fluocinolone acetonide in plasma were observed (<1 ng/mL). CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated negligible systemic exposure to ciprofloxacin and fluocinolone acetonide following topical otic administration in pediatric patients with AOMT.
Ciprofloxacin , Otitis Media , Administration, Topical , Child , Child, Preschool , Drug Therapy, Combination , Fluocinolone Acetonide/therapeutic use , Humans
OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to create and evaluate a novel virtual platform dissection course to complement pediatric otolaryngology fellowship training in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A four-station, four-simulator virtual course was delivered to pediatric otolaryngology fellows virtually using teleconferencing software. The four stations consisted of microtia ear carving, airway graft carving, cleft lip repair, and cleft palate repair. Fellows were asked to complete pre- and post-course surveys to evaluate their procedural confidence, expertise, and attitudes towards the course structure. RESULTS: Statistical analysis of pre-course survey data showed fellows agreed that simulators should play an important part in surgical training (4.59 (0.62)); would like more options for training with simulators (4.31 (0.88)); and would like the option of saving their simulators for later reference (4.41 (0.85)). Fellows found the surgical simulators used in the course to be valuable as potential training tools (3.96 (0.96)), as competency or evaluation tools (3.91 (0.98)), and as rehearsal tools (4.06 (0.93)). Analysis showed a statistically significant improvement in overall surgical confidence in performing all four procedures. CONCLUSION: This virtual surgical dissection course demonstrates 3D printed surgical simulators can be utilized to teach fellows advanced surgical techniques in a low-risk, virtual environment. Virtual platforms are a viable, highly-rated option for surgical training in the setting of restricted in-person meetings and as a mechanism to increase access for fellows by reducing costs and travel requirements during unrestricted periods.
COVID-19 , Otolaryngology , Child , Clinical Competence , Fellowships and Scholarships , Humans , Otolaryngology/education , Pandemics , Printing, Three-Dimensional
INTRODUCTION: Opioid prescribing patterns after pediatric tonsillectomy are highly variable, and opioids may not improve pain control compared to over-the-counter pain relievers. We evaluated whether a standardized, opioid-sparing analgesic protocol effectively reduced opioid prescriptions without compromising patient outcomes. METHODS: A quality improvement project was initiated in July 2019 to standardize analgesic prescribing after hospital-based tonsillectomy with/without adenoidectomy. An electronic order set provided weight-based dosing and defaulted to non-opioid prescriptions (acetaminophen and ibuprofen). Patients ages 0-6 received non-opioid analgesics alone. Patients ages 7-18 received non-opioid analgesics as first-line pain control, and providers could manually add hydrocodone-acetaminophen for breakthrough pain. Opioid prescriptions and quantities were compared for 18 months of cases pre- versus post-standardization. Postoperative returns to the system were reviewed as a balancing measure. RESULTS: From 2018 through 2020, 1817 cases were reviewed. The frequency of opioid prescriptions decreased significantly post-standardization, from 64.9% to 33.5% of cases (P < .001). Opioid prescribing for young children steadily decreased from over 50% to 2.4%. Protocol adherence improved over time; outlier prescriptions were eliminated. Opioid quantities per prescription decreased by 16.3 doses on average (P < .001), and variance decreased significantly post-standardization (P < .001). The incidence of returns to the system did not change (P = .33), including returns for pain or decreased intake (P = .28). CONCLUSION: An age-based and weight-based analgesic protocol reduced post-tonsillectomy opioid prescriptions without a commensurate increase in returns for postoperative complaints. Standardized protocols can facilitate sustained changes in prescribing patterns and limit potentially unnecessary pediatric opioid exposure.
Analgesics, Non-Narcotic , Tonsillectomy , Acetaminophen , Adolescent , Analgesics , Analgesics, Opioid/therapeutic use , Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Pain, Postoperative/drug therapy , Practice Patterns, Physicians' , Tonsillectomy/adverse effects
Introduction: To illustrate how quality improvement can produce unexpected positive outcomes. Methods: We compared a retrospective review of perioperative management and outcomes of baseline 122 pediatric total thyroidectomies to 121 subsequent total thyroidectomies managed by an Electronic Medical Record protocol in a large, free-standing children's healthcare system. Process measures included serum calcium measurement 6-12 hours postoperatively; parathyroid hormone measurement 6 hours postoperatively; preoperative iodine for Graves disease, and postoperative prophylactic calcium carbonate administration. In addition, we completed 4 Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles, focusing on implementation, refinement, usage, education, and postoperative calcitriol administration. The primary outcome included transient hypocalcemia during admission. Results: All perioperative process measures improved over PDSA cycles. Measurement of postoperative serum calcium increased from 42% at baseline to 100%. Measurement of postoperative PTH increased from 11% to 97%. Preoperative iodine administration for Graves disease surgeries improved from 72% to 94%. Postoperative calcium carbonate administration increased from 36% to 100%. There was a trend toward lower rates of severe hypocalcemia during admission over the subsequent PDSA cycles starting at 11.6% and improving to 3.4%. With the regular review of outcomes, surgical volume consolidated among high-volume providers, associated with a decrease in a permanent hypoparathyroid rate of 20.5% at baseline to 10% by the end of monitoring. Conclusions: In standardizing care at 1 large pediatric institution, implementing a focused quality improvement project involving the perioperative management of transient hypocalcemia in total thyroidectomy pediatric patients resulted in additional, unanticipated improvements in patient care.
Primary cells isolated from the human respiratory tract are the state-of-the-art for in vitro airway epithelial cell research. Airway cell isolates require media that support expansion of cells in a basal state to maintain the capacity for differentiation as well as proper cellular function. By contrast, airway cell differentiation at an air-liquid interface (ALI) requires a distinct medium formulation that typically contains high levels of glucose. Here, we expanded and differentiated human basal cells isolated from the nasal and conducting airway to a mature mucociliary epithelial cell layer at ALI using a medium formulation containing normal resting glucose levels. Of note, bronchial epithelial cells expanded and differentiated in normal resting glucose medium showed insulin-stimulated glucose uptake which was inhibited by high glucose concentrations. Normal glucose containing ALI also enabled differentiation of nasal and tracheal cells that showed comparable electrophysiological profiles when assessed for cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) function and that remained responsive for up to 7 weeks in culture. These data demonstrate that normal glucose containing medium supports differentiation of primary nasal and lung epithelial cells at ALI, is well suited for metabolic studies, and avoids pitfalls associated with exposure to high glucose.
Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator
BACKGROUND: Children with orofacial deformity may require repeated imaging of the facial skeleton. OBJECTIVE: To test the feasibility and accuracy of "black bone" magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for assessing facial deformity in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three-dimensional (3-D) black bone gradient echo sequences (flip angle 5°, submillimetre spatial resolution) from 10 children (median age: 13 years, range: 2-16 years), who underwent MRI of the temporomandibular joints, were evaluated with multiplanar reconstruction and 3-D rendering tools. Intra- and inter-reader agreement was investigated for measuring the height of the mandibular ramus and condyle, basal length of the mandible, gonion angle and mandibular inclination angle by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman analysis. Absolute percentage error was calculated with the average of all measurements serving as reference. RESULTS: Sixty linear and 40 angle measurements were obtained on reformatted multiplanar black bone images with excellent inter-reader agreement (ICC > 0.99, agreement bias < 1.4 mm/ < 1.5°) and small error (median absolute error < 3%). The black bone images required inversion of the signal intensity and removal of air before they could be processed with standard volume rendering tools. The diagnostic utility of 3-D views for assessing the facial skeleton was sufficient except for assessing dental relationship. CONCLUSION: Morphometric measurements of the mandible can be obtained from black bone MRI with comparable inter-rater agreement to that reported for cone beam computed tomography (CT). With improvements of 3-D rendering techniques and software, black bone MRI may become a radiation-free alternative to CT in children with facial deformities.
Mandible , Skull , Adolescent , Child , Cone-Beam Computed Tomography/methods , Head , Humans , Imaging, Three-Dimensional/methods , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Mandible/diagnostic imaging
